2026 Retirement Account Contribution Limits at a Glance
The 2026 IRS limits in one place: $24,500 for 401(k) plans, $7,500 for IRAs, plus catch-up amounts at 50 and the 60 to 63 super catch-up.
Last checked
Contribution limits decide how much of your income can go into tax-advantaged retirement accounts each year. This guide is for anyone planning 2026 contributions who wants the official IRS figures in one place. The short answer: for 2026, employees can defer up to $24,500 into a 401(k), and total IRA contributions can reach $7,500 ($8,600 if 50 or older), with extra catch-up amounts for older workers.
In this guide:
- The 2026 limits at a glance
- What each limit covers
- A worked example: spreading $24,500 across paychecks
- The order to check your own limits
- Checks to run before you contribute
| Account | 2026 employee limit | Age 50+ catch-up |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, TSP | $24,500 | $8,000 (total $32,500) |
| Traditional + Roth IRA (combined) | $7,500 | $1,100 (total $8,600) |
| Ages 60-63 super catch-up (401(k)-type) | - | $11,250 instead of $8,000 |
The table shows two tracks: workplace plans with the higher ceiling, and IRAs with the lower one. Both headline limits rose for 2026, and the IRA catch-up moved from $1,000 to $1,100. The IRS announced the 2026 figures on November 13, 2025. Because the numbers move with inflation, treat any figure from a prior year as outdated and check the current IRS table before you plan. The sections below explain what each line covers.
401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457 plans: $24,500
For 2026, employees can defer up to $24,500 of salary into these workplace plans, up from $23,500 in 2025. The IRS announced the figure in its cost-of-living adjustments release on November 13, 2025. This limit covers your own elective contributions; employer contributions fall under separate limits. Confirm which plan year your employer uses before you plan around the number, because some plans run on a fiscal year rather than the calendar year.
Best for: workers with access to an employer plan who want to see the maximum deferral. The limit applies to you as a person, so if you have more than one workplace plan, track your deferrals across them and check how your plans are counted.
Traditional and Roth IRAs: $7,500 combined
Your total 2026 contributions to all traditional and Roth IRAs cannot exceed $7,500, or your taxable compensation for the year if that is less. The IRS states the combined cap on its IRA contribution limits page. The limit is shared across every IRA you own, not applied per account, so contributions to two different IRAs still count toward the same $7,500.
Best for: anyone saving outside a workplace plan, or adding to one.
Catch-up contributions at 50 and older
Workers who are 50 or older can contribute more. For 401(k)-type plans, the 2026 catch-up is $8,000, which brings the possible employee total to $32,500. For IRAs, the IRS lists a total of $8,600 for savers 50 or older, which is $1,100 above the base limit. Check the IRS pages for how the age requirement applies to you, since eligibility is tied to your age during the calendar year.
Best for: savers 50 or older who want to see how much extra room they have.
The ages 60-63 super catch-up: $11,250
SECURE 2.0 created a higher catch-up for employees aged 60 through 63. For 2026 it is $11,250 for 401(k)-type plans, unchanged from 2025. It applies instead of the standard $8,000 catch-up, so you do not get both amounts. Check your age against the 60-through-63 window before assuming the standard $8,000 applies.
Best for: workers in that four-year window who want to see the higher figure.
Run the numbers: spreading $24,500 over paychecks
This is an illustrative calculation, with assumptions stated below. To contribute the full $24,500 employee deferral over a year with 24 semimonthly paychecks, each paycheck would need $24,500 / 24 = $1,020.83. With 26 biweekly paychecks, it is $24,500 / 26 = $942.31 per paycheck.
Assumptions: equal contributions each pay period, a full year of employment, and no midyear changes. Check your payroll system for the exact per-period amount, and watch the limit if you change jobs midyear, because the cap applies to you as a person, not to each employer.
The checking order
- Confirm your plan type and whether it counts toward the $24,500 workplace track.
- Check your age band: standard limits, the 50-plus catch-up, or the 60-to-63 super catch-up.
- Divide your target by your number of pay periods to get the per-paycheck amount.
Before you contribute
Contribution limits apply per person across employers, so track your total if you change jobs during the year. Two common mistakes are worth avoiding: assuming each employer gives you a fresh $24,500, and forgetting that IRA contributions across multiple accounts share one $7,500 cap. IRA deductibility and Roth eligibility depend on income and filing status; read the IRS pages for your situation. Employer matching contributions fall under separate limits from your elective deferral; the IRS cost-of-living table lists a $72,000 defined contribution plan limit for 2026 that covers the combined additions to a plan. This guide does not cover SIMPLE or SEP plans, 457(b) plans of tax-exempt organizations, or Roth IRA income phase-out ranges, which are listed separately by the IRS. Rules can change with new legislation, so recheck the IRS cost-of-living table each fall.
This article is for general information, not financial advice.